Preference points for big game.

WORKING DRAFT
2005
STATE OF WYOMING
05LSO-0540

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0259

Preference points for big game.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Simpson, Childers, Gay and Olsen and Senator(s) Coe

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to game and fish; requiring the game and fish commission to establish preference point programs for hunting licenses as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.
W.S. 23
‑
1
‑
703(g), by creating a new subsection (h) and by amending and renumbering (h) as (j) and 23
‑
2
‑
101 by creating a new subsection (p) are amended to read:

23
‑
1
‑
703.

Limitation of number of big or trophy game animal licenses; reservation of certain licenses; reservation of certain unused licenses.

(g)

In addition to the authority granted under subsection (b) of this section, the commission
may
shall
through rule and regulation
promulgated by July 1, 2005
develop and implement
by January 1, 2006
a preference point program for nonresident antelope, nonresident deer and nonresident elk licenses which are limited in quota and would otherwise be issued through a random drawing. A program established pursuant to this subsection may be implemented for all or selected hunt areas and may be applied to all or portions of licenses for any particular species. The commission may charge nonresident license applicants a nonrefundable fee to accumulate preference points under the program as provided in W.S. 23
‑
2
‑
101(m).

(h)

In addition to the authority granted under this section, the commission shall through rule and regulation promulgated by July 1, 2005, develop and implement by January 1, 2006 a preference point program for resident antelope, resident deer and resident elk licenses which are limited in quota and would otherwise be issued through a random drawing. A program established pursuant to this subsection may be implemented for all or selected hunt areas and may be applied to all or portions of licenses for resident antelope, resident deer or resident elk licenses. The commission may charge resident license applicants a nonrefundable fee to accumulate preference points under the program as provided in W.S. 23
‑
2
‑
101(p).

(h)
(j)

Rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the game and fish commission to carry out subsections (a) through
(f)
(h)
of this section
.
and may be promulgated as provided in subsection (g) of this section.

23
‑
2
‑
101.

Fees; restrictions; nonresident application fee; nonresident licenses; verification of residency required.

(p)

Subject to the provisions of this subsection, as part of any preference point program for resident antelope, resident deer or resident elk license, a resident qualified to purchase an antelope, deer or elk hunting license under such preference point program may pay a fee of seven dollars ($7.00) in lieu of applying for an antelope, deer or elk hunting license. Payment of the fee for a particular species under this subsection shall authorize the person to accumulate points under the program provided in W.S. 23
‑
1
‑
703(h) for that year in the same manner as if he had unsuccessfully applied for a hunting license for that species. Payment of the fee in lieu of applying shall authorize the person to accumulate a preference point for future drawings for licenses that are limited in quota for the applicable species in accordance with rules of the commission. The rules may provide for the loss of all accumulated points for persons failing to apply or to pay the in lieu fee in two (2) consecutive calendar years. Payment of the fee shall be made in compliance with application dates.

Section 2.
This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

1
HB0259